Resurgent Lee claims five-wicket haul
Brett Lee will be a danger to England
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Thursday, 02, Jul 2009 08:43
Fast bowler Brett Lee claimed a devastating five-wicket haul, but it was a relatively poor day for Australia against the England Lions.
In reply to Australia's total of 358 all out, England were cruising along as openers Stephen Moore (12) and Joe Denly (66) played beautifully to put on an opening stand of 172.
But then Lee finally found his groove and tore into the England batting line-up. Lee first bowled Denly and then had Ashes hopeful Ian Bell out lbw for a first ball duck.
Lee, who was continuously bowling well above 90mph, also took the scalps of Vikram Solanki, Eoin Morgan and Moore and finished with figures of 5/53.
But the performance of Lee was the only highlight for the Aussies in the bowling department. Their new sensation Mitchell Johnson had a nightmare day as he went wicketless and conceded 101 runs in his 20 overs. Stuart Clark and spinner Nathan Hauritz also failed to take a wicket.
As for England, there were a number of encouraging performances with the bat. Aside from Denly and Moore, wicketkeeper Steven Davis struck 53 and Adil Rashid remained unbeaten on 36.
Australia had started the day on 337/8 and though Mike Hussey completed his 150, they could only manage to add 21 runs from their overnight total.
Steve Harmison looked to be coming back to the form which made him the best bowler in the world as he smashed the stumps of both Hussey and Lee to finish with figures of 4/80.